gate in everybody's face, and says in guttural French: 'La
Princesse ne voit per-r-r-sonne!' I've tried it. I tell you it's
no go!"

"Well, we shall all get inside the mysterious palace next
Wednesday evening," said Lady Fulkeward, closing her eyes with a
graceful air of languor, "It will be charming, I am sure, and I
daresay we shall find that there is no mystery at all about it."

"Two months ago," suddenly said a smooth voice behind them, "the
Ziska's house or palace was uninhabited."

Lady Fulkeward gave a little scream and looked round.

"Good gracious, Dr. Dean! How you frightened me!"

The Doctor made an apologetic bow.

"I am very sorry. I forgot you were so sensitive; pray pardon me!
As I was saying, two months ago the palace of the Princess Ziska
was a deserted barrack. Formerly, so I hear, it used to be the
house of some great personage; but it had been allowed to fall
into decay, and nobody would rent it, even for the rush of the
Cairene season, till it was secured by the Nubian you were
speaking of just now--the interesting Nubian with the face like a
mummy; he took it and furnished it, and when it was ready Madame
la Princesse appeared on the scene and has resided there every
since."

"I wonder what that Nubian has to do with her?" said Lady Chetwynd